PH, China can still work together despite row: Palace

by Willard Cheng, ABS-CBN News

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang said the Philippines and China can still work together in several other aspects despite an ongoing territorial dispute.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda pointed out that the country’s bilateral relationship has various levels and that it should not be limited to thorny issues.

He pointed out that President Aquino was recently with Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing in an event where the President thanked China for the loan it extended to the Philippines to fund the second phase of the Angat Water Utilization and Aqueduct Improvement Project (AWUAIP).

“We have different levels of exchanges and we are not limited in our relations with China strictly on a contentious issue. We can still work together in various levels,” Lacierda said.

He added that the two countries continue to keep diplomatic channels open in dealing with the territorial dispute, pointing out that Philippine Ambassador to China Sonia Brady has been in touch with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

“We remain very, very hopeful that upon the assumption of office of Ambassador Sonia Brady, who is an experienced hand in Philippine China relations, we will have a thorough and diplomatic discussion of the issues between the two countries,” Lacierda said.